Hair processing apparatus



l 2, 1969 M. A. GAGLIANO 3,464,425

HAIR PROCESSING APPARAI US Filed Nov. 2, 1966 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Sept. 2,1969 M. A. GAGLIANO HAIR PROCESSING APPARATUS 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 FiledNOV. 2, 1966 INVENTOR. )Wafmel flflye/a fay/mm US. Cl. 132-9 2 ClaimsABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A hair treatment apparatus including a hoodhaving a lower portion with an opening to receive the upper portion ofthe head of a person within the hollow of the hood and being larger thanthe head to permit the hood to b6 spaced from the head and hair at allpoints therearound. The hood further includes an upper closed crownportion spaced upwardly from the normal position of the head within thehollow and a light energy source mounted to the upper crown portionwithin the hollow. The lower portion of the hood has a highly reflectiveinner surface which is inclined outwardly and upwardly from the openingto receive and reflect the light energy to the hair on the nape andhairline areas of the head.

This invention relates to an apparatus for treating the human hair; moreparticularly, the invention pertains to a device for processing a headof human hair which has been given a special treatment, such as forexample, bleaching, dyeing, coloring, tinting, toning or the like.

One type of hair processing machine in common use employs infrared lampsor heat bulbs disposed in the upper portion of the dryer casing orhousing of the machine, which are directed downward to concentrate theinfrared rays or heat on the hair and effect a drying or processing bysuch procedure. This infrared or heat type of electric hair dryer orprocessor is an advancement, to a certain extent, over the circulatingair type of hair dryer or processing machine, in that the moist air andchemical vapors which are often involved in the drying, setting,tinting, bleaching and coloring processes are not driven oif, butinstead remain within the casing of the machine to exert an influence onthe hair and head of the patron using the same.

It has been found that by employing the new, improved hair processingapparatus of this invention all of the above mentioned treatments, suchas drying, bleaching, dyeing, coloring, tinting and the like may bespeeded up with consequent savings in time and money, and with equallygood and often superior results obtainable than with customaryprocedures. Briefly the invention as applied to these treatmentsincludes applying a coloring lotion, a bleaching agent, a dyeingpreparation or a tinting cream or oil to the hair in the usual manner.Then instead of waiting the necessary time for these materials tofunction, which may be from about 20 minutes to about an hour and ahalf, depending on which material is used and depending on the type andcondition of the hair being treated, the head is placed within theapparatus herein disclosed and the hair subjected to the mechanismstherein. Surprisingly the application of the device of this inventioncauses the treating material to function to its full capability in amuch shorter time than is usual. By following the teachings of thisinvention hair treatments may be completed more quickly than heretofore.For example, the treating time for a bleach touch-up is reduced fromthirty minutes which is the normal time to about six minutes; theprocessing time for an operation which usually requires 45 minutes isreduced to approximately 9 minutes; and the time for other treatments issimilarly reduced.

States Patent m 3,464,425 Patented Sept. 2, 1969 Accordingly, if theapparatus and methods herein disclosed are properly used, superior hairsetting and treating can be accomplished in very much less time than hasheretofore been required, and with the utmost comfort and convenience tothe patron. What is even more surprising and satisfying to the patron,and regardless of which treatment is employed according to thisinvention, is that the resultant coiffure is of better sheen, is softerand in many ways more beautiful than coiifures produced by conventionalprocedures and apparatus.

Besides the advantages already described, use of the invention decreasesthe cost of air conditioning the shop since high heat-producing dryingapparatus is absent. This feature further adds to the comfort of thepatron in case air conditioning facilities are inadequate during rushperiods at the shop. Moreover space in the beautician shop for chairs,dryers and waiting room are lessened and inconvenience and time requiredof the patron is minimized, thereby reducing cost to the shop owner.

It is a general object of this invention to provide a novel and improvedapparatus for the treatment of human hair.

Another general object of the subject invention is to provide animproved apparatus which accelerates and improves the action ofbleaching, coloring, tinting, toning and like materials and agents on ahead of human hair.

A further object of the instant invention is to provide an improvedmethod for dyeing, bleaching, coloring, tinting, toning and similarhandling of the hair of the head.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide an improved apparatusfor accelerating the bleaching, dyeing, coloring, toning and the like ofhair by coloring substances applied to the hair.

Still a further object of this invention is to provide an improved hairprocessing apparatus which is extremely simple in its construction,fool-proof in its operation and economical to fabricate and manufacture.

Yet a further object of the invention is to provide an improvedapparatus which effects substantially uniform treatment of the entirehead of hair of the user while at the same time retaining to a greatextent the moisture and chemical vapors found to be necessary to obtaina complete and satisfactory hair treatment.

The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of thisinvention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. Theinvention itself, however, both as to its organization and method ofoperation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, maybest be understood by reference to the following description taken inconnection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of the hair processing apparatus ofthis invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the apparatus;

FIG. 3 is a transverse sectional view through the apparatus taken online 33 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view through the apparatus alongline 44 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view through the apparatus on anenlarged scale taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 66 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view through the device along line7-7 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view along line 88 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view along line 9-9 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 10 is a transverse view through the apparatus along line 10-10 ofFIG. 5; and

FIG. 11 is a diagrammatic view of the electrical circuit employed in theapparatus of this invention.

With detailed reference to the drawings now, and in particular FIGS. 1and 2 thereof, the hair processing apparatus of this invention generallydesignated by reference numeral is seen to include a hood or housing 12,an adjustable stand 14 and a movable base 16. Base 16 includes threerectangular members or legs 18, 20 and 22 disposed at equal angles fromone another and extending outward from a central point beneath theconnection of adjustable stand 14. Each of the members 18 through 22 isrigidly disposed with respect to its adjacent members by means of a disklike connecting member 24 which is welded to each of the members bywelds, as at 26 on member 18 and 28 on member 20. Disk member 24 islikewise connected by welds 30 to the base 32 of the adjustable stand14. Each of the legs 18 through 22 of the base 16 has connected to itsouter end a caster 34 such that the base 16 can be rolled about and alsoswiveled about its center. Each of casters 34 is provided with acircular section 36 rotatably attached to the body portion 38 of thecaster in order that base 16 may be rolled along the floor, the bodyportion 38 itself can be swiveled at 40 in a horizontal plane about thelower end of shaft 42 connecting caster 34 to the leg member 18, 20 or22. Shaft 42 of the caster extends into the hollow portion of the leg ofthe base and is secured therein by means of a nut 44 threaded on the topthereof.

The adjustable stand 14 is mounted to the base 16, being connectedthereto at its lower end 32 and extending through disk like member 24 torest and abut on the upper surfaces of legs 18, 20 and 22. Welds 30connect the lower end of adjustable stand 14 to circular disk member 24.Adjustable stand 14 includes a lower section 46 which is the sectionmounted to the base 16 and a smaller upper section 48 which is slidableand telescopable within the lower section 46. The stand 14 may beadjusted to varying heights by moving telescoping upper section 48inward and outward of the lower base section 46 and securing uppersection 48 in any of a number of desired positions by tightening thumbscrew 50 mounted in lower section 46 to the so adjusted upper section48. Thus the hood portion 12 of the apparatus may be adjusted to andmaintained in varying heights for use with various size patrons anddifferent sizes of chairs which support the patrons while using theapparatus of this invention. The upper end 54 of section 48 of theadjustable stand 14 is connected to the hood portion 12 of the apparatusthrough a connecting bracket 52, more clearly depicted in FIG. 5. Upperend 54 fits within mounting bracket 52 and is secured therein bytightening nut 56 on the bolt 58 extending through the mounting bracket52. The mounting bracket 52 is secured to the hood portion 12 of theapparatus by appropriate rivets as at 60 and 62.

The hood portion or housing 12 of the hair processing apparatus of thisinvention, as best depicted in FIG. 5, is seen to include a centersection 64 attached to the mounting bracket 52, a lower treating orprocessing section 64 attached to the central section and an uppersection 68 attached to section 64 and containing the processingmechanisms of the apparatus. Center section 64 includes an innercircular member 70 mounted within an outer circular member 72, see FIGS.5, 6 and 7. The outer member or shell 72 is of a greater length orheight than inner member 70 such as to hide or conceal the attachment ofupper and lower sections 66 and 68 respectively to the center section64, all of which will be exthen riveted in this overlapped area 78 byrivets 60 and 62, which additionally attaches connecting bracket 52 tothis outer member 72. This overlapping at 78 strengthens and rigidifiesthe structure of the hood in the area where attachment bracket 52 isconnected.

When both the inner 70 and outer 72 shells have been formed, they arespacedly connected together by appropriate rows of rivets, as at 80,'82, 84, 86, 88 and 90. 'Each of the rows of spaced connections betweenthe inner 70 and outer 72 members includes appropriate rivets 92 and aspacing bar 94 having an elongated flat portion 96 lying against theinner side of outer member 72 and terminating in inwardly bent dependingspacing portions 98 and 100, the ends of which abut the outer surface ofinner member 70 to thereby maintain the inner and outer members 70 and72 in a spaced relationship with respect to each other, see FIG. 7.

Upper and lower exposed edges 102 and 104 respectively of outer shell orhousing 72 are finished with headlike bands or strips 106 and 108respectively to give a smooth and finished look to the central portion64 of the apparatus. Bands 106 and 108 may be fabricated from metal,rubber or plastic as so desired, a fanciful plastic band beingpreferred.

Lower section 66 of housing or hood portion 12 is attached adjacent thelower edge 110 of inner circular member 70 of the center section 64.Lower section 66 is formed in the shape of a truncated cone; that is tosay, the section has a circular cross-section with a larger diameteradjacent its upper portion or attachment end 112 and a smaller diameteradjacent its lower end 114, which surrounds opening 113. The purpose ofthis tapered shape will be explained more fully hereinafter. The outeredge 114 of section 66 surrounding open end 113 of the hood is providedwith a strip or band 116 to give a finished appearance to the same andpresent a smoother edge to the operator and patron using the device.Strip 116 may be fabricated from metal, rubber or plastic material asdesired. The sloping or tapered inner surface of section 66 is highlyreflective to aid in the complete and uniform processing and treating ofa head of hair. In order to obtain a highly reflective inner surface,section 66 may be fabricated from a metal having a shiny surface whichmay be further polished for greater reflectivity. The upper or inneredge 112 of lower section 66 is flanged over as at 118 thereby providinga means for attaching section 66 to the middle section 64. Theattachment of these sections 64 and 66 is made by means of suitablerivets as at 120 connecting this flanged portion 118 to depending leg 98of spacing member 94 at each of the rows of rivets 80 through 90, asmore clearly depicted in FIG. 7.

The upper section 68 of hood portion 12 of the apparatus is a doublewalled structure having both an inner 122 and an outer 124 wall whichhave a generally circular cross-section and which have a closed top 126of a generally domed shape. Suitable heat insulating material 128 iscontained between the inner 122 and outer 124 walls to insure that theoutside section 68 remains cool should there be any heat buildup withinthe inner portion of the apparatus. Inner and outer walls 122 and 124 ofthe upper section 68 meet and are joined at the bottom of the section ina flanged portion 130 adjacent the upper edge 132 of inner circularmember 70 of center section 64. Upper section 68 is attached to middlesection 64 through the flange portion 130 by means of rivets 134extending through flange portion 130 and into the depending leg 100 ofspacing members 94. Appropriate rivets such as rivet 134 are used tofurther connect upper section 68 to the central sections 64 at the otherrows of rivets 80 through 88, similar to that as depicted in FIG. 7.

The hair processing or treating mechanisms are mounted within uppersection 68 of hood portion 12 of the apparatus. Included therein is asupport member 136 which is mounted to the domed portion 126 of thisupper section 68 by means of suitable brackets 138. A suitabledielectric or insulating material 140 is provided between the outer endsof brackets 138 and their connection to the inner wall 122 of uppersection 68. Attached to the upper side of support member 136 are aseries of lamp sockets 142 spacedly arranged thereon, see FIG. 9.Mounted within sockets or receptacles 142 and extending through andoutward from the lower side of supporting plate 136 are a number ofsmall treating lamps 144 by by whose energy the patrons hair isprocessed while using this apparatus. Each of the sockets 142 with itsengaged treating lamp 144 is electrically connected by conductor 146extending through an opening 148 in the central rear portion of uppersection 68 to a control box 150 which is mounted to telescoping section48-of the adjustable stand 14. A suitable piece of insulation 152 isprovided surrounding electrical conductor 146 where it passes throughthe opening 148 within the inner and outer walls 122 and 124 of theupper section of the housing 12. Conductor 146 is secured to supportplate 136 by means of a connecting clip 153 to prevent undue stress andstrain on the connections between the individual sockets 142 and theconductor 146. Control box 150 is electrically connectable to a suitablesource of AC. power through electrical conductor 154 and suitable wallplug 156. Control box 150 contains a pair of off-on switches 158 and 160and respective pilot lights 162 and 164 to indicate when the respectiveswitch is in the on or closed position. Also included within the controlbox 150 is a timing device 166 by which the length of time that thepatrons hair is treated or processed is timed and by which after suchtreatment the apparatus is turned off thereby stopping the treatment.Switch 158 controls lamps 168, 176', 172, 174, 176 and 178, such that,if only this switch 158 is in the closed position the patrons hair willbe processed on only the back portion of the top and the back sideportions of the head and the nape of the neck. If it is desired to treatand process only those portions of the patrons hair which are on thefront portion of the top, the front side portions, and the hairline ofthe head only switch 160 will be turned on or placed in the closedposition such as to energize and operate lamps 180, 182, 184, 186, 188,and 190 which are located in the front and front center portions of thehood.

To use the apparatus of this invention the patrons head of hair 192 isfirst treated by applying the appropriate coloring lotion, bleachingagent, dyeing preparation or tinting or toning cream or oil as desiredto the hair in the usual and normal manner. Then the patrons head 194 isplaced in and under hood portion 12 of the apparatus, entering the samethrough opening 113 and more particularly, carefully centered within thelower section 66 thereof. Next the normal time for the applied materialsto function is determined, and then the number of minutes is divided by5 to arrive at the approximate treating time to be used employing theapparatus of this invention. The so determined time is then set on timer166 and switches 158 and 160 are closed or placed in the on positions toenergize the treating lamps 144 contained within the upper section 68 ofhood portion 12. When the appropriate time has elapsed timer 166 willautomatically break the electrical circuit and the lamps 144 will bedeenergized. The operator of the apparatus may then examine the patronshead of hair to determine if further processing is warranted or neededto obtain the desired results. If further treatment or processing isindicated to be necessary either or both of switches 158 and 160 may beagain closed and timed by timer 166 to further process either the entirehead of hair, or if desired, by employing 6 l only switch 158 the backand nape may be treated, or by the use of switch 160 only the front andhairline areas may be processed.

When the apparatus of this invention is in use with treating lamps 144thereof being energized, light energy is emitted therefrom in thedirection of arrows 196 such as to hit and strike upon the highlyreflective conical shaped inner surface of lower section 66 of hoodportion 12. The light energy emitted by treating lamps 144 thus fallingand striking upon inner surface 115 is refracted at the surface,reflected in the direction of arrows 198, and diffused in the areaadjacent reflective surface 115 to thoroughly and completely reach andprocess all of the hair of the patron and the materials to be appliedthereto. Not only is the hair processed on the top of the head, but bythis device the same is thoroughly and completely processed on thesides, back, front, hairline portions and nape of the neck to give auniform and thorough treatment to the complete head of hair.

While only a certain preferred embodiment of this invention has beenshown and described by way of illustration, many modifications willoccur to those skilled in the art and it is, therefore, desired that itbe understood that it is intended in the appended claims to cover allsuch modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of thisinvention.

What is claimed as new and what it is desired to secure by LettersPatent of the United States is:

1. A hair treatment hood operative to apply radiant heat to the whole ofthe hair of a person whose head is placed in the hood, said hoodcomprising a hollow upper generally rounded and upwardly elongatedportion having a lower peripheral end adapted to be positionedsubstantially outwardly around the dome of the head and extending aboveits said lower end, the lower end of said hood being formed with adepending hollow skirtlike portion having an inverted truncatedgenerally conical shape with its interior surface being inclinedupwardly and outwardly from said lower end to said upper portion, theinterior surface of said skirt-like portion of said hood being smoothand highly radiant-heat reflective, a radiant heat source within saidupper rounded portion above the dome of the head, the lower end of therounded portion and the upper end of the skirt-like portion being spacedoutwardly around the head whereby heat radiated from said sourceimpinges upon said interior reflective surface of said skirt-likeportion and is reflected inwardly and generally upwardly therefrom toheat the lower and under parts of the mass of hair which are hidden fromdirect radiation from said source.

2. In the hair treatment hood as defined in claim 1 wherein the interiorsurfaces of each of said portions of said hood are radiant-heatreflective, said interior surfaces reflecting the radiant heat to causesame to impinge upon said interior reflective surface of said skirt-likeportion and reflect same toward the hair.

References Cited FOREIGN PATENTS 3/1961 Great Britain.

US. Cl. X.R.

